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Quiz about Introduction to the Autonomic Nervous System

Introduction to the Autonomic Nervous System Quiz

This is a quiz on the autonomic nervous system, so you can test your knowledge on the part of your body which gets the adrenaline pumping!

A multiple-choice quiz by Milky1989. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Milky1989

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
304,334

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1034

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which one of these functions would NOT be controlled by the autonomic nervous system? Hint

Body temperature

Beating of the heart

Swallowing

Contraction of the stomach muscles

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Question 2 of 10

2. The autonomic nervous system is a division of what? Hint

Pituarty Nervous System

Central Nervous System

Peripheral Nervous System

Coronary Nervous System

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Question 3 of 10

3. The anterior or ventral rami of thoracic segmental spinal nerves form which type of nerve? Hint

Splanchnic Nerve

Phrenic Nerves

Intercostal Nerves

Vagus Nerve

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Question 4 of 10

4. The autonomic nervous system can be split into two divisions: the sympathetic division and the parasympathetic division. What is the main function of the parasympathetic division? Hint

To produce effects associated with stress and excitement

To conserve and restore energy

To make the eyes blink

To control breathing

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Question 5 of 10

5. How many pairs of cranial nerves are there in total?

Answer: (Number or One Word)

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which cranial nerve is known as the vagus nerve? Hint

III

VII

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Question 7 of 10

7. What does the parasympathetic nervous system use as a neurotransmitter? Hint

Norpinephrine

Dopamine

Acetylcholine

Adenosine

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Question 8 of 10

8. The sympathetic nervous system is of a thoraco-lumbar origin. The nerves leave the spinal cord in segmental spinal nerve T1 down to which spinal nerve? Hint

T12

9. In the sympathetic nervous system, when preganglionic fibres leave the spinal cord in segmental spinal nerves, they can sometimes run through the sympathetic chain without synapsing. What type of nerves do they emerge as? Hint

Vagus Nerves

Cranial Nerves

Frescal Nerves

Splanchnic Nerves

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following nerves runs down to and supplies the diaphragm? Hint

Intercostal Nerve

Phrenic Nerve

Vagus Nerve

Frescal Nerve

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which one of these functions would NOT be controlled by the autonomic nervous system?

Answer: Swallowing

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling the involuntary actions of the body, such as digestion, body temperature, and heart rate. It does this by controlling the smooth muscle of the internal organs and glands.

2. The autonomic nervous system is a division of what?

Answer: Peripheral Nervous System

The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord, and receives messages from parts of the body. It processes these messages and sends signals out to parts of the body.

The peripheral nervous system links the central nervous system to the skin, muscles and other organs. The autonomic nervous system is part of this.

3. The anterior or ventral rami of thoracic segmental spinal nerves form which type of nerve?

Answer: Intercostal Nerves

Intercostal nerves are the anterior divisions of the rami of thoracic segmental spinal nerves from T1 to T11. They are in the abdomen and run along the subcostal groove of a rib, as well as the intercostal vessels.

The anterior or ventral rami of cervical segmental spinal nerves (C3 to C5) form phrenic nerves.

These nerves are mainly somatic, which supply things like the body wall, joints and the skin. However, segmental spinal nerves also carry some visceral or autonomic afferents and efferents.

4. The autonomic nervous system can be split into two divisions: the sympathetic division and the parasympathetic division. What is the main function of the parasympathetic division?

Answer: To conserve and restore energy

The parasympathetic division is responsible for conserving and restoring energy. The sympathetic division produces a "fight or flight" response and the effects that are apparent in this situation, such as an increased heart rate.

5. How many pairs of cranial nerves are there in total?

Answer: 12

Cranial nerves come from the brain stem. Information from the parasympathetic nervous system in the brain stem runs along cranial nerve III, VII, IX or X. From leaving the brain stem, it travels along preganglionic neurones, through the autonomic ganglion, along postganglionic neurones and then to the target organ or tissue.

This is the same in the sacral portion of the spinal cord, but it runs along the pelvic nerve instead.

6. Which cranial nerve is known as the vagus nerve?

Answer: X

The vagus nerve is distributed from the head and neck into the thorax and abdomen. It has a wide range of important functions in the body, such as heart rate and sweating.

7. What does the parasympathetic nervous system use as a neurotransmitter?

Answer: Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine is also a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.

The autonomic nervous system has other neurotransmitters, such as norpinephrine, but acetylcholine is the only one used in the parasympathetic division.

In the sympathetic division, acetylcholine is still used as a neurotransmitter in preganglionic neurones, but norpinephrine is used in postganglionic neurones, apart from sweat glands which use acetylcholine.

8. The sympathetic nervous system is of a thoraco-lumbar origin. The nerves leave the spinal cord in segmental spinal nerve T1 down to which spinal nerve?

Answer: L2

The ganglia in the sympathetic nervous system are more organized than in the parasympathetic nervous system, as all preganglionic fibres run to sympathetic chains.

Answer: Splanchnic Nerves

All splanchnic nerves carry sympathetic fibres except pelvic splanchnic nerves, which carry parasympathetic fibres.

10. Which of the following nerves runs down to and supplies the diaphragm?

Answer: Phrenic Nerve

Phrenic nerves originate from C3, C4 and C5. Severing of the spinal cord above the origin of the phrenic nerves causes breathing to stop as impulses are no longer sent to the diaphragm.

Source: Author Milky1989

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